MEET OUR crew

THOMAS PATTERSON

With over 20 years of experience 14 spent at sea and 7 on land Thomas knows his way around an engine room better than most. His solid background in marine engineering and genuine love for the ocean help keep AIX running smoothly, so guests can relax knowing they're in safe hands. Now back closer to home and family, Thomas is excited to explore local waters and bring his energy and know-how to every trip. His passion for life on the water is infectious, and he's always happy to share a story or two along the way.

HARRISON SAUNDERS

Born in Motueka, New Zealand, Harrison began his maritime journey at 18, working aboard commercial deep-sea fishing vessels in the challenging waters of the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. He later transitioned into the superyacht industry, where he has cruised extensively through the South Pacific, Asia, and the Bahamas & Caribbean.

A keen diver, drone pilot and passionate photographer, Harrison captures the beauty of both underwater worlds and remote landscapes. In his spare time, he enjoys running, cycling, and hiking, embracing an active lifestyle wherever his travels take him.

Proudly Kiwi, Harrison also explores his creative side as a passionate chef, enjoying opportunities to share good food, socialise, and connect with people from diverse cultures around the world.

DENISE DUBE

Hailing from the stunning landscapes of New Zealand, Denise brings a wealth of experience to the AIX team. With years of dedicated service as a stewardess aboard various yachts in the Mediterranean, Denise has honed her skills in creating unforgettable luxury experiences.

Denise was an integral part of the AIX journey from the very beginning, contributing to the yacht’s build and delivery. She accompanied the owner on the inaugural Mediterranean voyages, leaving a lasting impression with her exceptional service and attention to detail. The owner was so captivated by Denise’s expertise and dedication that they eagerly invited her to return to the crew and continue the AIX legacy closer to home.

Denise is excited to once again be part of the AIX family and is committed to providing the highest level of service to every guest.

JARED MCKELLAR

Emerging gem, a chef of 10 years, Jared trained in New Zealand in several hatted restaurants before travelling the world. Whilst travelling he has had a lot of experiences but chose to pursue yachts after moving to Australia.
Click to our Head Chef dedicated page to find out more about Jared and his background and style of cooking.

KEVIN MENIOVICH

Kevin is 29 years old and originally from the vibrant Mexican Caribbean. Growing up surrounded by sun, sea, and culture, he developed a deep passion for sports that has stayed with him throughout his life. However, everything changed when he began living closer to the ocean. It sparked a new calling.
For the past seven years, he’s dedicated himself to working on large yachts, combining my love for the sea with a dynamic and adventurous lifestyle that he truly enjoys. Being on the water has become more than a job; it’s a way of life that he’s passionate about and proud to pursue.

TYRA JACKSON

Tyra, born in New Zealander and at the exciting start of a promising career on deck. Growing up surrounded by some of the most beautiful coastlines, she quickly discovered her strong love for the ocean. From the young age of 16, Tyra was eager to join  the yachting industry and undertook her first roles at Orakei Marina as a boat detailer and YachtShare NZ as an Operations Assistant. Tyra is an enthusiastic, positive and intelligent young woman, she brings capability and a strong willingness to learn every task she undertakes. Qualified as an Open Water Diver, Tyra relishes the opportunity to obtain her Yachtmaster qualification and further her maritime knowledge while continuing her underwater studies in the future. Her passion for wildlife drives her curiosity and connection to the ocean and its surroundings. Extremely personable, caring, and a valued member of the AIX crew, contributing to both the team dynamic and overall onboard experience.

STEVIE MACFARLANE

Stevie is a 28year old with a love for anything ocean related. After over 8 years of land based service, housekeeping and childcare within New Zealand, she felt as though transferring them into yachting and combining them with her passion for the sea would make a great match which she has shown greatly in her last few years in the yachting industry. Growing up in a small coastal town called Whitianga, she also worked as an ocean lifeguard for 9 years and was brought up around the water with her dad being a fisherman so she has a lot of confidence around the water and will spend most of her time free time as close to it as possible.
She absolutely thrives off new experiences and opportunities and says she can’t wait to see the travels this part of her life takes her on.